Search found 146 matches
- Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: CD v download tax software
- Replies: 13
- Views: 694
Re: CD v download tax software
If you choose the download option from Amazon, for example, you can log into Amazon years later and still find the file available for download again. If you loose the CD, it is a bit more challenging to get a replacement.
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 2:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need to lock 30 year mortgage NOW - where to start?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 1866
Re: Need to lock 30 year mortgage NOW - where to start?
I've used these guys the last couple refi's
https://www.northpointe.com/
I got a quote from them just yesterday indicating less than 3% on a 30 yr note with nearly no cost to refi.
https://www.northpointe.com/
I got a quote from them just yesterday indicating less than 3% on a 30 yr note with nearly no cost to refi.
- Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car Price Creep (What's Ok?)
- Replies: 52
- Views: 4404
Re: Car Price Creep (What's Ok?)
I think having your house paid off really skews the discussion. Normally people say to shoot for 25%+ of income for savings rate, and if you're maxing things out like you say then you're well above 30%. You don't have a mortgage, so I'd say you should ideally be targeting 40%+. But the biggest under...
- Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:52 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a new car using Costco
- Replies: 42
- Views: 4614
Re: Buying a new car using Costco
I've used Costco for a new car. The process is simple and straight forward. We were able to get a very specific paint color, interior color, and trim package combination. None were available anywhere within hundreds of miles of Denver, but the dealer that Costco used was able to locate one that was ...
- Tue May 12, 2020 12:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Invest or Pay Down Mortgage?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 946
Re: Invest or Pay Down Mortgage?
There's still a lot of uncertainty in the world right now. A larger emergency fund isn't a bad idea. If you invest, I would dollar cost average over the coming months. Maybe every 2 weeks put an extra $1k into the market. The only way I would put it toward the mortgage would be if I could pay it off...
- Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I refinance? Help!
- Replies: 4
- Views: 279
Re: Should I refinance? Help!
You should shop around. I just locked in this morning a 15 year at 2.625%. You have a bigger payment than I do and I suspect it might be a jumbo loan. Either way, 3.3% seems high. As for your concern, if you stay with your current loan you pay it off in 14 years. However, if you get a new loan at a ...
- Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tax withholding, why do we owe so much?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2397
Re: Tax withholding, why do we owe so much?
My company has issues like this as a result of the way they withhold taxes for stock grants. They often sell to cover 25% or the grant and my marginal rate is just a bit higher. That said, I do quarterly tax payments in the $2-3k range and it works out fine. The amount of money you owe ($7k) is not ...
- Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HSA- pregnancy question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 570
Re: HSA- pregnancy question
3.) Lastly, any other advice to help minimize the costs of appointments/delivery? Regarding this, you're likely to hit your out-of-pocket max. For us, it was $6k. At that point saving money only benefits the insurer. That said, do double check that everything you do is in-network. If there were to b...
- Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HSA- pregnancy question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 570
Re: HSA- pregnancy question
First off, congrats. Regarding the FSA, read the fine print to see if it is a "limited-use" FSA. I have a qualifying high deductible plan so I don't qualify for a standard FSA, but I do qualify for the limited-use FSA. The limited use FSA is only allowed for qualifying charges, such as med...
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 1:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
Re: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine
Thanks to everyone for the assistance and suggestions. Turns out this is a legit series of transactions. In my previous post I mentioned having a couple previous HSAs. Turns out that the smaller account I drained prior to closing happened in 2017. No record of it online when I searched that website...
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 1:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
Re: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine
Thanks to everyone for the assistance and suggestions. Turns out this is a legit series of transactions. In my previous post I mentioned having a couple previous HSAs. Turns out that the smaller account I drained prior to closing happened in 2017. No record of it online when I searched that website,...
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 11:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
Re: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine
I did have a different HSA company from 2009-2013 and another from 2014-2016. For the first, I drained the small amount and deactivated the account. For the second, I rolled over the balance to my current one. There were no activities from either of these older ones in 2017. Was the rollover from t...
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:24 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
Re: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine
The issue I'm having is that I've never had an account with the listed company. [ . . .] Received From: Healthcare Bank a Division of Bell Bank Healthcare Bank's website indicates that they are a benefits manager who administers things like HSAs and FSAs for employers. They don't appear to allow in...
- Thu Nov 14, 2019 12:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
Re: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine
Questions: - Can anyone confirm if Healthcare Bank is legit? They have a website and things align, but I'm constantly skeptical. - how can I prove I've never owned this account? - The account information is my correct SSN, how do I get that cleared up to prevent future confusion? - Should I get a C...
- Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:49 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2207
IRS billing me for 1099-SA that isn't mine - Resolved
Update: Turns out that the IRS was somewhat correct. I did have additional spending and it was a case of a missing 1099-SA during a time when my company switched to 3 different HSA custodians in 3 years before settling. Thanks to all for the help! Original: Hi All, I received a notice from the IRS t...
- Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:26 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Auto Loan
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1183
Re: Auto Loan
Most people on here say to never finance a depreciating asset. I like the sentiment, but auto loans are often very cheap. At 0%, always finance some or most, but not all. I have consistently gotten ~2% at PenFed and so I'll finance the bulk but then plan to pay it down over 2-3 years. If you're payi...
- Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Title Insurance on Refi
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1932
Re: Title Insurance of REfi
Could vary by state, but I believe title insurance is something you can always select on your own. If you go with the mortgage lender's preferred vendor, maybe it could be faster, but more than likely they are just getting a kickback. The key to keeping title insurance low on a refi is to specify yo...
- Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Paying mortgage vs bonds for a medium term (5-7 year) duration
- Replies: 9
- Views: 771
Re: Paying mortgage vs bonds for a medium term (5-7) duration
The problem with your idea is that in order to get the money out of the home mortgage you have to refinance, or if the numbers are favorable, do a HELOC. Comments: - There isn't a 30% tax bracket. Regardless, whether your married or single, you're making 6 figures if you're close to 30% - That you'...
- Tue Aug 06, 2019 11:28 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Paying mortgage vs bonds for a medium term (5-7 year) duration
- Replies: 9
- Views: 771
Re: Paying mortgage vs bonds for a medium term (5-7) duration
*update. I mistakenly read that the purchase was for a home improvement, and not a new home. I'll leave the rest unedited. The problem with your idea is that in order to get the money out of the home mortgage you have to refinance, or if the numbers are favorable, do a HELOC. Comments: - There isn't...
- Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can we afford $600k home?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7835
Re: Can we afford $600k home?
To make this work, you will likely have to pull back on retirement savings. That means you will need to work more years of your life. How safe is your job/profession? If it requires you to be physically active, that gets harder with age. If you're in a tech industry then there is a chance you might...
- Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can we afford $600k home?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 7835
Re: Can we afford $600k home?
To make this work, you will likely have to pull back on retirement savings. That means you will need to work more years of your life. How safe is your job/profession? If it requires you to be physically active, that gets harder with age. If you're in a tech industry then there is a chance you might ...
- Thu Jun 13, 2019 11:45 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
- Replies: 72
- Views: 5429
Re: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
Is it really that big of a deal for your wife to be caught with a flat tire and have to wait maybe 2 hours at most for roadside assistance? Could you not keep a spare at home and come help her out in the event she has a flat? I know some areas are worse than others but I've had 1 flat in 16 years o...
- Wed Jun 12, 2019 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
- Replies: 72
- Views: 5429
Re: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
OP here again. Thanks for all the replys. I consider this issue resolved at this point. I'll update the OP also. I was shocked that I only got 12k miles out of the tires. Several people made comments to review the brochure in the glove box and sure enough I found something specifically on the tires....
- Wed Jun 12, 2019 2:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
- Replies: 72
- Views: 5429
Re: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
50 for an oil change, 75 for an alignment ballpark is 125 for the maintenance items. On Tire Rack the OEM tires for the AWD Sienna are 1036 for a set of 4. So you're pretty much at 1200 there without any stealership activities The OP stated in a follow-up post that the replacement tires were not th...
- Wed Jun 12, 2019 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
- Replies: 72
- Views: 5429
Re: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
OP here, Thanks for the feedback. I asked about the warranty and was informed that the tire manufacturer for the originals didn't offer any type of pro rate coverage. So then I asked if Toyota could do something and again got a no. These new tires do come with a warranty and are a different make fro...
- Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:20 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
- Replies: 72
- Views: 5429
Toyota Sienna tire replacement at 12k miles
Hi everyone, Are there any Toyota Sienna owners that have had sub-optimal results with the factory run-flat tires? My wife's went to the Toyota dealership recently for an oil change and they said she needs new tires, as hers have worn thin. She only has 12,xxx miles on the car that we bought brand n...
- Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:41 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Costco Visa credit limit
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7031
Re: Costco Visa credit limit
I have roughly $50k in available credit across 3 Citi cards. Not sure what's going on for you. My recommendation, open a Chase card. The Chase Sapphire sign-up bonus is lucrative and I value their points more than most. That said, the Fidelity Reserve Visa is my daily card as it gives 2% cash (not p...
- Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: For those who earn $500k+ per year. How'd you do that?
- Replies: 369
- Views: 45188
Re: For those who earn $500k+ per year. How'd you do that?
This topic seems completely foreign to me as an engineer (not software) in megacorp land. Starting pay out of school is 65-70k, expect 3-4% annual raises, and 5-7% every few years for promotions. Top out at the technical ladder in your 50-60s at 175-200k if you’re lucky, most will fall short. Hones...
- Fri May 31, 2019 12:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: For those who earn $500k+ per year. How'd you do that?
- Replies: 369
- Views: 45188
Re: For those who earn $500k+ per year. How'd you do that?
Colorado is a good place to be an engineer. I've seen steady increases in total comp and I'm in the same ballpark as HawkeyPierce (~bit over $300k). It is a good spot to be in.
- Thu May 16, 2019 12:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Thoughts on business purchase
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1634
Re: Thoughts on business purchase
I'd recommend doing some research on Net Present Value (NPV) specifically because the way you word your scenario you are talking cash flow. That $150k income could come from the current job or the new business. After considering the loan, your cash flow would be the same. However, you have to pay a ...
- Wed May 15, 2019 12:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Too much disability insurance?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 327
Re: Too much disability insurance?
More disability insurance is a good thing. Lock in as much as you can. And do so while you're young. If you wait a year you might have something happen to you. Worst case is you get disabled for some period of time. Another negative could be that you have something happen that suddenly causes an exe...
- Tue May 07, 2019 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: life insurance
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1307
Re: life insurance
Especially in a one income family, or heavily one-sided income family, shoot for at least 10X (if not 20X) annual income.
- Tue May 07, 2019 3:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: wedding gift value
- Replies: 80
- Views: 5349
Re: wedding gift value
I'm not following the question. is it a request to cover your meal at $180/plate (crazy expensive) or are they asking for guests to help subsidize the wedding ($180/per person is a bunch) or is this to offset the gift ($180/person is a maybe). If you don't have to travel for this, and it is directly...
- Tue May 07, 2019 12:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which US city would you move to?
- Replies: 74
- Views: 8291
Re: Which US city would you move to?
A lot of the small southern college towns are highly attractive. Access to good healthcare and good food would be key to me. Currently in Denver metro area and have no desire to move as the cost of living (medium-high) is within my income level. I find that many California high income people are com...
- Tue May 07, 2019 10:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to visit in the Caribbean?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2786
Re: Where to visit in the Caribbean?
Here's my recommendation: https://tikaye.com/ Saint Lucia. Adults only. 5 star food. It is light on the social scene aspect, but we did go into town one evening. You have your own cottage and you're a million miles from everyone and everything while having every amenity you could ask for. There are ...
- Tue May 07, 2019 10:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car loan dilemma
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3150
Re: Car loan dilemma
Do both. Invest and pay down. $3k each per month. People on this board always talk about paying cash for a car. Good in theory, but then their very next post is how you shouldn't have cash on the sidelines and that it is time in the market....etc. I'm not talking about emergency funds or anything li...
- Tue May 07, 2019 10:17 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 529 Question--one per child, or one per family?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1204
Re: 529 Question--one per child, or one per family?
Multiple accounts is the way to go. The account owner can change the beneficiary, but you don't want to have to manage doing that multiple times while they are in college. Setup the additional account, even them up in whatever way makes sense (actual dollar or amount per age), and then contribute as...
- Thu May 02, 2019 11:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Giving two week's notice before stock options vest
- Replies: 91
- Views: 9206
Re: Giving two week's notice before stock options vest
I'd push back on the new company. If they wanted you to start ASAP, they would want you there tomorrow. You obviously have 2 weeks between now and the proposed start date. Why would 3 hurt anyone? They also have plenty of flexibility on new hire stock grans and cash bonus options. One thing I haven'...
- Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Minivan - Safety
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1966
Re: Minivan - Safety
We have a 2016 Sienna and we love it. This is the first I'm hearing of this potential safety risk, and I agree it is concerning. That said, the reality of driving a car is that you're moving a couple tons down a road at up to 70-80mph at times. If you hit a fixed structure or another car head first ...
- Tue Feb 26, 2019 3:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Backdoor Roth Turbo Tax 2018
- Replies: 4
- Views: 619
Re: Backdoor Roth Turbo Tax 2018
I don't have it in front of me, but if you go over to the deductions page and choose your own topics you'll see a IRA option which will allow you to adjust/confirm your basis.
- Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:26 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is a Backdoor Roth IRA worth it?
- Replies: 73
- Views: 8683
Re: Is a Backdoor Roth IRA worth it?
You're also looking at just one year's potential growth. Compound 20-30 years worth of contributions into the equation, plus maybe some tIRA conversions and you're looking at high 6 figure, maybe 7 figures in the account. You don't know your situation or what your tax rate will be in retirement. I'd...
- Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Advice for this 30 year old?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2660
Re: Advice for this 30 year old?
Not sure how you're able to max out both Roth IRAs if the other spouse isn't working. Need to have income to do a IRA. <-- I stand corrected, and learned something today. Thanks, Wolfpack. Only other thing I can add is maybe consider UGMA / UTMA for your kids. This would be their money when they tu...
- Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Inherited IRA - RMD
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1552
Re: Inherited IRA - RMD
You didn't mention the size, but hopefully it is a big inheritance. That said, sorry for the loss. Money doesn't replace the person. Cherish the memories. One additional thought, in the event it is a somewhat smaller-sized inheritance. You could always cash out the whole thing. We received one for $...
- Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Individual RSUs: Selling strategy
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1748
Re: Individual RSUs: Selling strategy
Interesting feedback on this thread. I've stated before that I'm not opposed to holding some RSUs, but they cannot get above 10% of my net worth. If I trigger that, I work to sell some off and diversify. That said, the point of selling RSUs should be to diversify, not avoid taxes. Taxes in this case...
- Thu Nov 15, 2018 6:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1538
Re: Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
I’m not sure I understand the distinction you are making. As I understand it, the process for computing vested RSU tax amounts and translating to whole shares goes something like this: Say you have 100 RSUs and the vest price is $50.00 per share. That means $5000.00 of taxable income. 6.2% goes to ...
- Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:08 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1538
Re: Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
The company I work for also uses "withhold to cover," but it returns the difference between taxes due and the value of the shares withheld to us as cash in our paycheck. I'd expect your company to do the same; it seems unlikely they could legally just pocket the difference. I would try to...
- Thu Nov 15, 2018 11:53 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1538
Withhold-to-Cover method for RSU grant
Hi everyone, My company is implementing a change in how RSU grants get handled. Looking for feedback if anyone has experience with this method. Our previous method was a "sell-to-cover" method. Let's say 10 stock units get deposited into my brokerage account and 3 are automatically sold to...
- Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a used car
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2485
Re: Buying a used car
Do yourself a favor and google "2015 Pathfinder issues" and then google "2015 Lexus rx issues". People give Lexus a hard time because they aren't flashy and performance oriented, but in my opinion they are among the most reliable cars on the road. Look 2-5 years old with under 4...
- Tue Nov 06, 2018 11:29 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a used car
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2485
Re: Buying a used car
Do yourself a favor and google "2015 Pathfinder issues" and then google "2015 Lexus rx issues". People give Lexus a hard time because they aren't flashy and performance oriented, but in my opinion they are among the most reliable cars on the road. Look 2-5 years old with under 45...
- Fri Nov 02, 2018 2:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Engineering school
- Replies: 83
- Views: 8466
Re: Engineering school
I agree with the earlier comments on proximity matters. I had to struggle for the first few opportunities I received. My school was barely accredited, but that's OK by me. I took a look at who I was coming out of high school and knew that if I went to a big school in a big city that I might get weed...